Canada approves use of PEDs during take-off and landing

Canada has allowed airline passengers to use personal electronic devices during take-off and landing, following in the footsteps of US regulators who approved the change in 2013.

The electronic devices must be in non-transmitting or flight mode.

Air Canada and WestJet both welcomed the announcement, and said they will work to implement the change.

"This policy will complement our recent announcement that this month we have begun rolling out in-flight wi-fi connectivity across our North American fleet, the first Canadian carrier to do so. We anticipate 29 aircraft will be offering in-flight connectivity by year-end, with 130 narrowbody aircraft to be equipped to provide connectivity by the end of 2015," says Air Canada.

WestJet says it will apply to Transport Canada for an exemption to allow the use of personal electronic devices on board, adding that it expects this approval early this summer.